About Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a worldwide public health problem. In the US alone, 26 million adults have CKD and millions of others are at increased risk for developing it. Most people are unaware that they have CKD or may be at risk.
The term CKD refers to the five stages of kidney disease – the early stages (stages 1 and 2) as well as kidney failure (stage 5).
There is growing evidence that early detection and appropriate treatment may be effective in:
Delaying the onset of CKD in those at increased risk
Slowing CKD progression
Decreasing the development of cardiovascular disease in people with CKD.
Most people with CKD do not die of kidney failure – they die of heart disease! And heart disease, which is the cause of 40-50% of the deaths in CKD, occurs as early as stage 3.
CKD Risk Factors
Diabetes is the leading risk factor for CKD followed by high blood pressure. There are other causes as well.
Clinical Factors Sociodemographic Factors
Diabetes
Hypertension
Autoimmune diseases
Systemic infections
Urinary tract infections
Urinary stones
Lower urinary tract obstruction
Neoplasia
Family history of chronic kidney diseases
Recovery from acute kidney failure
Reduction in kidney mass
Exposure to certain drugs
Low birth weight Older age
US ethnic minority status: African
American, American Indian, Hispanic,
Asian or Pacific Islander
Exposure to certain chemical and
environmental conditions
Low income/education
